Questions and Answers: Celebrating Christmas/Easter; LUK 18:19; EXO 33:20-23

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Ques. 1. is it scriptural for Christians to celebrate Christmas and Easter?
2. If so, why? If not, why not?
Ans. These two questions are answered together. The word translated Easter in Acts 12:44And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:4) should be passover. Correctly, in Scripture neither Easter nor Christmas is mentioned. In this day of grace we are told to "stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1). The observance of days and months and times and years is called "weak and beggarly elements" in Gal. 4:99But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians 4:9) and 10, and the Christian should not be in such bondage. Historically, the origin of Christmas is pagan.
Ques. 3. Why did Christ in Luke 18:1919And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. (Luke 18:19) say, "None is good, save one, that is, God," whereas we know that Christ is the only sinless and perfect man that ever trod the earth?
Ans. Yes, Christ is the only sinless and perfect man and also He is God. Psa. 119:6868Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. (Psalm 119:68) says, "Thou art good, and doest good." "The Lord is good.” Nah. 1:77The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7). No mere man was or is good. "The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." Psa. 14:2, 32The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:2‑3).
Ans. We do not reconcile Scripture but, rather, seek God's teaching from it. First, we notice that in Ex. 33:2020And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. (Exodus 33:20) it says, "Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live." John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18) tells us, "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him." Christ is the Revealer of the Godhead. In Gen. 32:2424And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. (Genesis 32:24) it says, "there wrestled a man" with Jacob. It was the Lord Jehovah (who is Christ) revealing God in that way to Jacob and so in Ex. 33:1111And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (Exodus 33:11) and Deut. 5:44The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, (Deuteronomy 5:4). Today Christ reveals the Father. God in His essential being and glory is never seen at any time. All the manifestations of God are in His Son. (1 Tim. 6:13-1613I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; 14That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Timothy 6:13‑16).)